Israel cannot achieve peace without Palestinian state: Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel unless the Palestinian issue is resolved, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud told US news outlet CNN in an interview that was broadcast on Sunday.
Saudi foreign minister emphasized that establishing a credible and irreversible Palestinian state is the key condition for any potential normalization, stating, "That's the only way we're going to get the benefit." Prince Faisal highlighted the importance of stability, asserting that resolving the Palestinian issue is essential for achieving stability in the region.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prince Faisal reiterated the stance, declaring that Israel cannot achieve peace without the establishment of a Palestinian state. He underscored the urgency of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The interview comes after Saudi Arabia had engaged in negotiations for potential normalization with Israel before the destructive war in Gaza in October of the previous year.
The conflict arose following a cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7. The subsequent Israeli offensive resulted in significant casualties, with at least 25,105 Palestinians killed and 62,681 injured. The dire consequences of the offensive include 85% of Gaza's population being internally displaced, facing shortages of essential resources such as food, clean water, and medicine.
Additionally, 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has suffered damage or destruction, as reported by the United Nations. The war is believed to have contributed to the postponement of talks on normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, which were previously mediated by the United States.
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